The Russian Way

Construction of a new Children’s Railway in St Petersburg. Photo Александр GM.

(Click on image to see original on narrow.parowoz.com)

These photos will make many of my Polish narrow gauge railway friends green with jealousy. Many Russian children’s railways have closed, but a brand new line is being constructed in St Peterburg’s. Note the concrete sleepered permanent way, colour light signals and the posts, presumably intended for lighting rather than overhead power supply!

Immaculately restored diesel locomotive TU2-167 “Pegasus” with its train at the new depot. Photo Адмирал.

(Click on image to see original on narrow.parowoz.com)

The TU2 diesels are rather long in the tooth, but this one has been restored to ‘ex works’ condition.

The first track panel in place, May 2009. Photo ASR82.

(Click on image to see original on narrow.parowoz.com)

Laying track directly on sand may accord with full-size practice, but is hardly ‘best practice’.

A close up of the panel. Photo ASR82.

(Click on image to see original on narrow.parowoz.com)

It seems that the new 7km line is replacing an older children’s railway in St Peterburg. The St Petersburg line is not the only Russian children’s railway to be using concrete sleepers; the Moscow Pioneer Railway was rebuilt in 2005 using concrete sleepers. Clearly the training of a new generation of railwaymen is being taken very seriously indeed.